2013 2014 Annual Sustainability Report

ANNUAL
SUSTAINABILITY
REPORT
2013-2014
2013/14 FAST FACTS

14%
REDUCTION IN
ABSOLUTE GHG
EMISSIONS SINCE
2007
50
GREEN BUILDING
PROJECTS
61%
OVERALL WASTE
DIVERSION RATE
40+
55%
SUSTAINABILITY
RELATED ACADEMIC
PROGRAMS
REDUCTION IN WATER
USE PER STUDENT
SINCE 2000
STUDENT BEDS
INCREASED TO
71%
10,041
OF TRIPS BY SUSTAINABLE
MODES OF TRANSPORT
OPERATIONAL
LIVING LAB
PROJECTS
3,100
STUDENTS
ENGAGED THROUGH
SUSTAINABILITY
IN RESIDENCE
PROGRAMMING
9+
NATIONAL AND
INTERNATIONAL
AWARDS
40%
896
STUDENTS, FACULTY AND

STAFF INVOLVED IN 86
SEEDS PROJECTS
500+
SUSTAINABILITY
RELATED COURSES
REDUCTION IN
HAZARDOUS
WASTE SINCE 2006
VANCOUVER CAMPUS
OKANAGAN CAMPUS
23%
REDUCTION IN WATER
USE PER STUDENT SINCE
2007
7 00000
KILOWAT T HOURS
1,200
PEOPLE ENGAGED
IN SUSTAINABILITY
INITIATIVES
263,000
GENERATED IN ENERGY
REBATES AND GHG
EMISSIONS REDUCTION
INCENTIVES
57%
ELECTRICITY SAVED
ANNUALLY THROUGH
FORTISBC POWERSENSE
PROGRAM
OF CAMPUS
DISTRICT ENERGY
SYSTEM HEAT
SOURCED FROM
RENEWABLE
EARTH ENERGY
8%
REDUCTION IN GHG
EMISSIONS
PER STUDENT SINCE 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MESSAGE FROM THE ASSOCIATE PROVOST
INTRODUCTION
TEACHING, LEARNING AND RESEARCH
CAMPUS AS A LIVING LAB
11
OPERATIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
17
COMMUNITY
26
COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT
30
2014/15 KEY PRIORITIES
37
APPENDIX
39
UBC Annual Sustainability Report 2013-2014
20 Faculties
11 Schools
3 Colleges
20 Faculties
11 Schools
3 Colleges
Research
funding
for 7,990
projects
20 Faculties
$519
million/year
Vancouver
Students 49,896
Total 58,284
15,171
Okanagan
Students 8,388
11 Schools
Research
funding
for 7,990 $519
projects million/year
Research
funding
for 7,990 $519
projectsVancouvermillion/year
Faculty & Staff
3 Colleges
Students 49,896
Total 58,284
No
prize
15,171
Okanagan
Students 8,388
Faculty & Staff
Vancouver
Students 49,896
Total 58,284
15,171
Okanagan
Students 8,388
UBCS CAMPUSES
Faculty & Staff
OUR STUDENTS
20 Faculties
20 Faculties
Students
Undergraduate
Graduate
Total
19%
TEACHING AN
11 Schools
Vancouver
Okanagan
Total
20 Faculties
3 Colleges
11
Schools
39,984
7,748
47,732
20 Faculties
11
Schools
9,912
640
10,552
3 Colleges
11
Schools
49,896
8,388
58,284 3 Colleges
3 Colleges
International Students
at the Vancouver Campus
9.6%
esearch
esearch
Research
Research
nding
ABOUT UBC
Research
funding
unding
funding
r 7,990
$519
funding
for 7,990
or
7,990
$519
for
7,990
$519 projects
million/year
ojects
for
7,990 $519
rojects
projects
projects million/year
Vancouver Campus
Okanagan Campus
International Students
at the Okanagan Campus
2%
16%
UBCs two main campuses are situated in Vancouver
Nob
20 Faculties
No
prize
UBC holds an internatio

excellence in advanced
offering a wide-range of
in the arts, sciences, m
and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley. Also in

58,284 total students at both campuses
Vancouver, UBC Robson Square is a vibrant learning
and other faculties.
(up 1%
2012/13)
centre
in the heart
of downtown,
the UBC
The
University
of British
Columbia (UBC)
is a Learning
global centre for research
andfrom
teaching,
consistently ranked among the top 40 universities
AMONG CURR
9,372 International students at Vancouver Campus
Exchange
is a community engagement initiative based
in
the world.
(19% of total students, upmillion/year
2% from 2012/13)
in Vancouvers Downtown Eastside, and UBCs
FACULTY AND
Our two main campuses the Vancouver campus and the Okanagan campus attract and educate more than 58,000 students from
809 International students at Okanagan Campus
Centre for Digital
Media
at the Greatmillion/year
Northern
Way
million/yea
r
20 Faculties
140 countries and employ over 15,000 staff and faculty.
(9.6% of total students, up 16% from 2012/13)
Campus is located in Mount
11 SchoolsPleasant. UBC also
1,265 community,
Aboriginal students
provides
clinical education
Faculty
Medicine
UBCs
Vancouver
campus is to
home
to a of
vibrant,
sustainable residential
where some 20,000 students, faculty, staff and
3 Colleges
$519
Nobel
students
at 75 live,
health
care
acrossUBCs
BritishOkanagan campus, which has nearly doubled in size since 2007, is home to 1,700
other
residents
work
andfacilities
learn together.
students.
Columbia. In addition, UBCs Asia Pacific Regional
Office in Hong Kong and a liaison office in

New Delhi support alumni engagement and facilitate
teaching and research partnerships.
Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver
Students 49,896
FACULTY AND STAFF

Faculty
Staff
Total
Vancouver
4,659
Vancouver
9,459
Students
49,896
14,118
Okanagan
471
Total
5,130
582
1,053
10,041
15,171
Nobel
2 Canadian prime min

11 3M National Teachi
65 Olympic medals
MESSAGE FROM THE ASSOCIATE PROVOST
I am pleased to report our sustainability achievements
On the operational side, we made great progress in advancing
for UBC Vancouver and Okanagan campuses during the
our Vancouver Campus Climate Action Plan by achieving a
2013/2014 fiscal year.
14 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (relative

to 2007 levels) despite significant campus growth.
Building on a tradition of excellence in sustainability,

developed over the last 20 years, we made significant
At UBCs Okanagan campus, we reduced reliance on natural
progress in meeting our ambitions and have embraced a
gas for heating and associated emissions by sourcing 57
significant academic and operational opportunity to continue
per cent of campus district energy from renewable ground
being at the forefront of the sustainability transition.
source energy.
We perform research that provides insights into and solutions
Finally, we laid a strong foundation for next generation
to institutional challenges involved in achieving sustainability;
sustainability by completing a comprehensive community
we practice sustainability operationally at a scale of great
engagement process to develop a 20-Year Sustainability
interest to cities around the world; and we prepare students
Strategy for UBCs Vancouver campus.
as a future generation of leaders with sustainability skills they

can contribute to the larger world.
With most of the strategy work complete, we are in an

excellent position to commence the 2014/2015 year with
Delivering on our commitment to the academic mission,
a renewed vision, shared understanding and a strong
we continue to embed sustainability across the curriculum,
commitment to improving human and environmental
and provide numerous applied research and leadership
wellbeing on campus while inspiring and enabling others to
opportunities with on and off-campus programs that
do so in the larger world.
engage students, faculty and staff in researching solutions to

sustainability challenges.
Dr. John Robinson

Associate Provost, Sustainability
SUSTAINABILITY MILESTONES
UBC signs Tailloires declaration
1990
1996
Becomes Canada's first university to adopt a sustainable

development policy
Launches ECOTREK (2001-2008), the largest energy

and water retrofit program at a Canadian university
Publishes comprehensive campus-wide sustainability

strategy, another first for a Canadian university
1997
1998
Opens a Campus Sustainability Office, a first for a

Canadian university
2003
Pioneers the U-Pass program, which has quadrupled

transit ridership since 1997
2007
Meets Kyoto Protocol greenhouse gas (GHG)

reduction targets for academic buildings 5 years early
2001
2006
Launches the U-Pass program at UBCs Okanagan

campus
Integrates sustainability as a core pillar in UBCs highest

level strategic plan
Develops the Sustainability Academic Strategy
2009
Sets bold targets to reduce GHG emissions and invests in

3 signature projects to meet climate goals (Continuous
Optimization, Bioenergy Research and Demonstration
Facility, Steam to Hot Water Conversion)
2010
Earns designation as Canada's first Fair Trade Campus
2011
Earns Gold rating in STARS, first Canadian university

to do so
Arts & Science Centre joins Fipke Centre for Innovative

Research in earning Five Green Globes for Leadership in
Environmental and Energy Performance at UBCs Okanagan
campus
2012
Achieves full operation of closed loop geoexchange district energy system at UBCs
Okanagan campus
Establishes the UBC Sustainability Initiative (USI)

to integrate operational and academic sustainability
Establishes a Sustainability Office at UBCs Okanagan
campus
2013
Completes comprehensive Zero Waste Action Plan and
launches Sort It Out campaign across UBCs Vancouver
campus
Opens C.K. Choi Building, setting new green building

benchmarks worldwide
2014
Achieves UBCs first LEED Platinum certification for

the Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability
(CIRS), located at UBCs Vancouver campus and
the first LEED Gold certification at UBCs Okanagan
campus for Reichwald Health Sciences Centre
INTRODUCTION
UBCs 2013/2014 Annual Sustainability Report provides an overview of our sustainability activities and aims
to help foster continued dialogue that guides progress towards our sustainability aspirations.
Our approach is grounded in the integration of sustainability across teaching, learning and research, operations
and infrastructure and community. We collaborate with private, public, NGO and community partners, and use
our campuses and their operational, educational and research capabilities as societal test beds to study, teach,
apply and share lessons learned, technologies created and policies developed.
As an agent of change, we leverage our communication and community engagement programs to provide
opportunities for collaboration to exchange knowledge and learn together how we can foster sustainability in
the larger world.
TEACHING,
LEARNING
AND RESEARCH
OPERATIONS AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
CAMPUS AS
A LIVING LAB
COMMUNITY
CO
MMUNICATIONS
AND
T
ENGAGEMEN
TEACHING, LEARNING
AND RESEARCH
UBCs sustainability ambitions go beyond
the operational agenda and include a transformation of curriculum. We are working to
support and extend sustainability courses and
create learning pathways for undergraduate
students. Our goal is for all students to have
access to sustainability learning alongside
their chosen degree program. We support our
diverse sustainability research community by
creating opportunities for connection and
collaboration.
EMBEDDING SUSTAINABILITY IN COURSES

AND PROGRAMS
We are working to embed sustainability across the
curriculum to provide students with an opportunity
500+
SUSTAINABILITY
RELATED COURSES
to take a sustainability pathway regardless of

their program. We provide resources to faculty
members seeking to incorporate sustainability and
track availability of sustainability courses.
FOSTERING STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Through programs such as paid sustainability
internships, on-campus experiential learning
projects, student engagement and advising
services, we are enabling undergraduate and
TEACHING, LEARNING, AND RESEARCH
OUR ACTIVITIES
40+
SUSTAINABILITY RELATED
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
graduate students to address critical societal

needs and impact change.
FACILITATING COLLABORATION
We gather information from across campus on
courses, initatives and other student inolvement
opportunities related to sustainability and share
these through our comprehensive website and
in-person engagement activities.
50+
PH.D. THESES RELATED

TO SUSTAINABILITY
BUILDING CAPACITY
We build the capacity of UBCs teaching
community to deliver outstanding sustainability
learning opportunities and continue to provide
support to sustainability researchers through
a variety of mechanisms, including the UBC
Sustainability Initiative (USI) Research Fellowship
program and the Sustainability Community of
Practice.
TEACHING AND
RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
AWARDED ACROSS
FACULTIES*
Each student, regardless of their degree program,

should have access to an education in sustainability
via a sustainability learning pathway
UBC Sustainability Academic Strategy, 2009
*2010-2013
FEATURE HIGHLIGHT
For the first time at UBC, I didnt feel like

I was in a course thats all about getting
good grades, I felt like I was in a course to
actually learn, and carry that knowledge
forward for the rest of my life.
CURRICULUM
TRANSFORMATION
NEW COURSE PREPARES FUTURE
SUSTAINABILITY LEADERS
SCIENCE 220 Student

Most university courses focus on a particular discipline,
but in fact all disciplines overlap or are influenced by
others. The new Science 220 course challenges students
to consider interdisciplinary perspectives - from science
and engineering, to economics and business, and the social
sciences - in analyzing and proposing solutions to complex
problems.
A PATHWAY TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE

DEGREE
In 2013, the Faculty of Science became the first faculty
to develop a Sustainability Learning Pathway for their
undergraduate students. A Sustainability Learning
Pathway is a collection of sustainability-oriented courses
and experiences that students pursue alongside their
Ive always been interested in sustainability,

but thanks to this class I now know more
about it, and how I can incorporate it into my
future career in business.
disciplinary major. Pathways may be integrated within

existing programs, or offered as a separate entity such as
a minor.
Faculty of Sciences module includes 5 key components:
1.
Introductory course
2.
Suite of electives
3.
Real world experience
SCIENCE 220 Student
4. Capstone course
Sustainability learning community
The pathway equips students with the following

sustainability attributes:
Holistic Systems Thinking
Sustainability Knowledge
Awareness and Integration
Acting for Positive Change
EXAMPLE OF A SUSTAINABILITY LEARNING PATHWAY

YEAR
1/2
YEAR
3/4
YEAR
INTRODUCTORY COURSE
(for example, the new Science 220 course)
SUSTAINABILITY
ELECTIVES
(courses vetted for
sustainability attributes)
REAL WORLD
EXPERIENCE
(eg. SEEDs, Co-op)
CAPSTONE/LEADERSHIP COURSE
SUSTAINABILITY LEARNING
COMMUNITY
5.
The following are select highlights of UBC Sustainability Initiative (USI) Teaching, Learning, and Research activities:
ACTIVITIES
DESCRIPTION
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
SUSTAINABILITY
PATHWAYS
Support faculties and departments

in creating a suite of sustainabilityoriented courses and experiences
that students pursue alongside their
disciplinary major
GREENEST CITY
SCHOLARS
PROGRAM
Provide UBC graduate students with

applied work experience with the City
of Vancouver
USI FELLOWSHIP
PROGRAM
Enable faculty to contribute to the

discussion to advance UBCs academic
sustainability goals
The Faculty of Science ran its first year of SCIE 220, an

introductory sustainability course open to students across
the campus and taken at the beginning of a sustainability
pathway
Developed new Pathway Seed Grant program to fund
curriculum development to be launched in fall 2014
Provided 11 graduate students with applied work experience
in sustainability
Received matching program funding from the City of
Vancouver allowing for program expansion in 2014
Refined UBCs curriculum framework for sustainability

education and engaged program directors around framework
adoption
Drafted concept papers on how to integrate sustainability
into first year courses and form an interdisciplinary Student
Learning Community as part of the sustainability pathways
SPOTLIGHT
GRANTS
PROGRAM
Encourage the insertion of

sustainability content into large,
introductory courses
Awarded grants to Chemistry 121, Geography 121, Psychology

101/102, and Applied Science 150
SUSTAINABILITY
EDUCATION
RESOURCE
CENTRE
Provide student advising on academic

and co-curricular opportunities
Provided advising services to undergraduate students,

including participation in Celebrate Learning Week
Communicated curricular and co-curricular opportunities to
600+ newsletter subscribers, including faculty and students
Introduced sustainability content into programming designed
for incoming first year students (Jump Start and Imagine
UBC)
Connected with over 95 academic advisors and engaged over
60 student groups
SUSTAINABILITY
AMBASSADORS
Peer-to-peer program that seeks to

foster student leadership and promote
sustainability education
UBC READS
SUSTAINABILITY
Provide a forum for students across

disciplines to discuss sustainability
issues with globally recognized authors
ANNUAL COURSE
CONSULTATION
Track progress of UBCs efforts to

provide sustainability courses
2013/2014 HIGHLIGHTS
Conducted a series of workshops with students focusing on

green event planning and peer-to-peer advising
Organized and hosted annual Sustainability Fair, engaging
over 400 attendees
Doubled the team for 2014, following a 100 per cent increase
in applications
Hosted two speaker events, including with Richard Heinberg,
author of Snake Oil and Marc Anielski, author of Economics
of Happiness
Since program inception in 2010, earned 27,400+ views of
lecture videos on YouTube
Identified 509 courses with a focus on sustainability and/or
sustainability content
FEATURE HIGHLIGHT
APPLIED WORK EXPERIENCE

Through our Greenest City Scholars Program we sponsor
graduate students to work on sustainability projects
that help advance the City of Vancouvers Greenest City
Action Plan. Open to graduate students from all academic
disciplines, the program provides applied work experience
and helps transfer knowledge into the community.
PROJECT PROFILE
PUTTING METRO VANCOUVERS TRANSIT NEEDS
INTO PERSPECTIVE
Zak Bennett, a graduate student in the School of
Community and Regional Planning, worked with the City
of Vancouver over summer 2013 to explore how Metro
Vancouvers transit compares with urban areas around the
world.
11
GREENEST CITY
INTERNSHIPS
IN 2013/2014
37
GREENEST CITY
INTERNSHIPS OVER
4 YEARS
100%
OF 2013 GREENEST
CITY SCHOLARS FELT
THEY RECEIVED HIGH
VALUE FROM THE
PROGRAM
Zak produced a literature review and developed metrics

that enabled a comparison of Metro Vancouvers transit
performance and needs with the performance and
expansion of transit systems in peer cities worldwide.
Using factors such as population, density, and transit
ridership, as well as relevance and similarity to Metro
Vancouver in politics, culture, and transit technology, Zak
identified twelve cities for comparison.
Whilst the City of Vancouver doesnt own or operate the
transit system, it plays a critical role in building transitsupportive streets and land use. Zaks work helped
put Metro Vancouvers transit needs into context, and
will assist the Citys decisions around advocating new
investments in transit capacity, and developing strategies
to garner support for new transit investments.
2013 Greenest City Scholar
Sean Pander, Assistant Director,
Sustainability Group, City of Vancouver
the City is the biggest beneficiary of the program. We

get fantastic projects from the scholars, and are always
amazed at how informative and instrumental the research
and projects are in helping us create and get going with
something much, much larger.
... I feel that the data I collected and

research I conducted filled a knowledge
gap. For this reason, I expect that it will
help the City to make informed policy
decisions in future years
FEATURE HIGHLIGHT
COMMUNITY ENGAGED RESEARCH
BUILDING HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE

SCHOOL FOOD SYSTEMS
Working closely with the Vancouver School Board (VSB), the
Think & Eat Green @ School project connects students to
400+
UNDERGRADUATE AND
GRADUATE STUDENTS
ENGAGED
the origins of their food and inspires change in what children

eat, learn and do at school in relation to food, health, the
environment and sustainability. The project highlights the
significant impact that the food system as a whole has on
greenhouse gas emissions and our ecological footprint.
400+ UBC undergraduate and graduate students were
100
TEACHERS AND
COMMUNITY PARTICIPANTS
involved in 60 VSB classrooms. A total of 34 elementary

and secondary schools received grants to carry out projects
in areas of curriculum innovation, food policy and climate
change adaptation, and school based food production,
consumption, preparation and procurement. 100 teachers
and food advocates participated in the third Think & Eat
Green@School Summer Institute.
34
ELEMENTARY AND
SECONDARY SCHOOLS
INVOLVED
UBC OKANAGAN
ENABLING RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS

The Okanagan Sustainability Institute is a research-focused, partnershipbased and externally supported academic unit. With a growing network
of partners in the interior region of British Columbia and with national
and international links to similarly situated researchers and institutes, the
Institute enables us to pursue inter-faculty, collaborative, interdisciplinary
sustainability research and scholarly inquiry that generate transferable,
scalable results and give rise to first-rate academic publications.
OUTREACH AND COLLABORATION

As a knowledge broker, the Institute enables us to convene exchanges
at the regional and international scale, engaging faculty, staff, students
10+
EXTERNAL
PARTNERS
and industry, government and community partners, and facilitating five

working groups related to topics such as water, urbanization and rurality.
We also supported sustainability curriculum development in the Bachelor
of Management program.
LIFE CYCLE, WATER
AND URBANIZATION
WORKING GROUP
Collaborated with industry on engineering-based life cycle assessment and researched markets for recycling
and reuse of green building materials.
Prepared a toolkit on return on investment in green development and initiated development of a tool and
techniques to manage building energy and GHG emissions, as well as water and energy sustainability
assessment frameworks for mixed-use developments.
OKANAGAN
Launched Yellow Schoolhouse Project, a community-based art project that seeks to inspire conversation
AESTHETIC
around development and aesthetic values, and engaged the community through workshops, performance,
WORKING GROUP
photo essay and interviews.
GREEN ROOF
WORKING GROUP
Conducted research that identified superior long-term performance of green roof systems in the context of
runoff water quality in semi-arid environments.
CULTURE CHANGE
Worked with community partners to develop new approaches to cultural change in support of healthy living
AND SOCIALLY
Created a model hub for interaction between researchers and communities and hosted scenario building
SUSTAINABLE
process with community partners to identify opportunities to reduce preventable chronic disease.
HEALTHCARE
CURRICULUM
10
Initiated the development of mixed methods approaches to understanding childrens wellbeing in
OF WELL-BEING
communities and places as an element of social sustainability, in order to improve decision-making around
WORKING GROUP
built and natural development and social policies.
CAMPUS
AS A LIVING LAB
Our unique position as a university enables us to transform the campus into a societal test-bed for
sustainability, in which we can design, implement and test sustainable solutions, and teach, study, and
research those processes. Through collaborative research, experiential learning and industrial innovation,
Campus as a Living Lab projects create the knowledge, skills and partnerships that move bold thinking
from the classroom to the community. Our culture of innovation enables us to initiate new programs and
projects that deliver academic, societal and technological advances.
OVERVIEW
Campus as a Living Lab (CLL) Initiative provides teaching,
learning and research opportunities for students, faculty and
staff while meeting operational requirements. CLL is a key
channel for brokering research partnerships with industry
and other community partners, enabling access to research
funding and accelerating knowledge translation.
In 2013, we operated five projects at UBCs Vancouver
campus: Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability,
Bioenergy Research and Demonstration Facility, Continuous
39
5
4.1x
ON AVERAGE
Experiment. 39 projects in total were under active
Designated projects combine campus operations and

administration (e.g. energy and water management, land use
and ecosystem management, buildings and infrastructure,
planning) with the education, research and outreach
mandates of the university to enable:
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
RESEARCH EXCELLENCE
OPERATIONAL IMPACT
AGENT OF CHANGE
18
5
A Steering Committee and Working Committee bring

together diverse stakeholders across campus operations
and academics. The Steering Committee is responsible
for overall direction and decision-making, while the
Working Committee is responsible for project evaluation
and development. Through the participation of diverse
stakeholders, we demonstrate our broad and deep
commitment to sustainability.
On a sustainable campus, the built environment, operational
systems, research, scholarship, and education are linked as
a living laboratory for sustainability. Users (such as students,
faculty, and staff) have access to research, teaching, and learning opportunities on connections between environmental, social,
and economic issues.
International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN)-Global Universities Leaders Forum(GULF)
12
DEPARTMENTS
FACULTIES
INVOLVED IN

CLL PROJECTS
GOVERNANCE AND COLLABORATION
Sustainable Campus Charter
OPERATIONAL
PROJECTS
OPERATIONAL FUNDS
LEVERAGED
Optimization, Energy Storage System and Electric Vehicle

development.
ACTIVE PROJECTS
FEATURE HIGHLIGHT
RESEARCH EXCELLENCE
CENTRE FOR INTERACTIVE RESEARCH ON
SUSTAINABILITY
ACCELERATING SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH
In 2013, the Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS)
began operation as a research centre with a focus on sustainable
building and urban development practices, from the work/live space
through the neighbourhood scale.
A prime example of the living lab concept, CIRS enables us to conduct a
range of research activities through which every aspect of the building
is studied, including the interplay with and wellbeing of inhabitants.
Projects are conducted through collaborative partnerships between
CIRS researchers and industry, the public sector and civil society.
The CIRS building was our first Campus as a Living Lab demonstration
project and one of four flagship projects. The buildings robust network
of sensors and controls facilitates performance tracking, reporting,
continuous optimization protocols and collection of research data.
Buildings like CIRS - that embody the principles of regenerative,
net-positive sustainability - are deeply transformative, catalyzing
sustainability innovations and the establishment of higher sustainability
goals.
Lessons learned from CIRS will help every new capital project on
campus strive to achieve more aggressive sustainability goals than its
predecessor and become a learning platform for continual improvement
over time.
REGENERATIVE NEIGHBOURHOODS RESEARCH PROJECT

The Regenerative Neighbourhoods Project seeks to explore and catalyze
the emergence of regenerative sustainability at the neighbourhood
scale, building on the lessons being learned from the application of
regenerative sustainability at the building scale in CIRS.
Through collaboration with local municipalities and design
practitioners, academic researchers and students are examining key
principles of regenerative sustainability to inform its application and
practice at the neighbourhood scale.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHT
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
SEEDS SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM
INTEGRATED INTO
ADVANCING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH
Over the past 14 years, the SEEDS (Social Ecological
Economic Development Studies) Sustainability Program
has created partnerships between students, faculty and staff
896
to enable innovative sustainability projects at UBC. These

student research projects engage the Campus as a Living
Lab, and support the integration of academic and operational
work on sustainability. Projects contribute to Zero Waste
Action Plan, Climate Action Plan, Electrical Infrastructure
Plan, and the Departmental Sustainability Frameworks.
SEEDS facilitates collaborations across units on campus,
36
COURSES
STUDENTS,
FACULTY & STAFF
ENGAGED IN
2013/14
86
COMPLETED PROJECTS IN
2013/14
develops career capital through experiential learning, and

produces measurable results for campus operations.
SEEDS provides diverse learning opportunities that
enrich the work of faculty and staff while contributing to
positive change on campus
Faculty Participant
1,000+
RESEARCH
REPORTS
PUBLISHED ONLINE
OVER 14 YEARS
2013/14 CAMPUS
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Waste Diversion for Special Olympics
Canada 2014 Summer Games
Lighter Footprint Targets for the Alma
Mater Society
Business Proposal to Recruit Women
Working in Trades
Onsite Composting Facility for new
Student Union Building
Enhancing Construction and
Demolition Waste Tracking for
Campus Capital Projects
FEATURE HIGHLIGHT
OPERATIONAL IMPACT
BIOENERGY RESEARCH AND
DEMONSTRATION FACILITY
Following the first full year of operation, the
Bioenergy Research and Demonstration Facility
enabled us to reduce Vancouver campus
emissions by 9 per cent, producing enough
renewable energy to supply 8 per cent of total
campus energy, equivalent to heating 1,200
homes.
A partnership between UBC and two of the
worlds leading developers of green technology
Vancouver-based Nexterra Systems Corporation
and GE Energy the pioneering CLL project
provides a platform for demonstrating renewable
energy at the community scale, providing faculty,
staff, students, and private sector partners
the opportunity to study, test, teach and apply
lessons learned at the facility.
UBC OKANAGAN
REGION AND CAMPUS AS A LIVING LAB

UBCs Okanagan campus recently renewed its participation in the Campus as Living
Lab initiative. Our ad hoc committee identified and carried out three pilot projects that
integrate sustainability research with campus operations. Projects focused on: the
energetic performance of operational green roofs on campus buildings, landscaping
of the Hangar Fitness and Wellness Centre, integrating ecosystem function with
maintenance ease, and optimization of campus water systems.
As a result of these projects, the conceptualization of the Campus as a Living Lab
evolved and broadened to consider our campus not in isolation but as a node in a
network of living lab opportunities throughout the Okanagan and British Columbias
Interior region.
Future CLL activities may occur in various organic ways, for example: campus-based
action research on health promotion serving as one node of a broader, regional action
research project.
Okanagan Xeriscape Association Executive Director

Gwen Steele and Anthropology Associate Professor John
Wagner worked with the campus architecture team to
implement drought-resistant plants around a new fitness
and wellness centre. The inaugural living lab project, set
a sustainability precedent for UBCs Okanagan campus.
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Rehan Sadiq and Kasun Hewage, engineering and biology

researchers, lead the green roof working group and use
our 10 experimental campus green roofs to collaborate
with local, private-sector partner enCircle Design Build to
investigate the quality of water running off a variety of
types of green roofs.
OPERATIONS AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
As a large, research-intensive
university, with considerable land,
assets and utilities, we are in the
unique position to use our campuses
as test beds for sustainability. We are
working to enhance the efficiency
of our operations, reduce our
environmental impact, and recover
cost savings, while leveraging our
campus infrastructure and the
built environment to demonstrate
innovative sustainability solutions at
the municipal scale.
PERFORMANCE AT A GLANCE
VANCOUVER CAMPUS
GOAL
TARGET*
2013/2014 ACHIEVEMENT
Reduce emissions by: 33% by 2015,

67% by 2020, and 100% by 2050, compared
to 2007 levels
ENERGY AND EMISSIONS

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Be a net positive energy campus
14% absolute reduction since 2007

26% reduction per FTE** student
since 2007
8% of campus energy generated
from renewable biomass
WATER
Water Conservation Action Plan under
development
New targets under development
35% absolute reduction in water use

since 2000
55% reduction in water use per FTE
student since 2000
MATERIALS AND WASTE

Reduce waste disposal, helping UBC
transform into a zero waste community
Increase overall diversion to 70% by 2016

and 80% by 2020
61% overall waste diversion rate
LEED/REAP*** Gold certification mandatory for

all new buildings and major renovations
23 LEED registered and certified

projects (8 certified, 15 registered)
27 REAP registered and certified
projects (20 certified, 7 registered)
New Transportation Plan and specific targets

under development
Achieve a steadily decreasing trend in operational

waste disposed to landfill/incineration despite
forecasted campus growth
GREEN BUILDINGS
Design, build and operate highperformance green buildings
TRANSPORTATION
Reduce single occupancy vehicle trips and
enable and promote sustainable modes of
transportation
71% of trips by transit, carpool, cycling

and walking
13% decrease in SOV person trips
since 1997
312% increase in transit person trips
since 1997
HOUSING AND AMENITIES

Increase housing choice and affordability on
campus and provide quality amenities
Aspire to provide housing to 50 per cent of full

time students
Aspire to build up to 30 per cent of all new

housing on campus as rental, subject to market
demand
10,041 student beds, providing

capacity for 30% of 2010 full-time
students
25.8% of neighbourhood units are
rental
573 UBC-run child care spaces
Targets apply to UBCs Vancouver campus.

Full-time equivalent.
***
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Residential Environmental Assessment Program (REAP).
*
**
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OKANAGAN CAMPUS
2013/2014 ACHIEVEMENTS
8% reduction in emissions per FTE student since 2007*
57% of campus district energy system heat is sourced from renewable earth energy (ground-sourced aquifer)
*Note, prior to 2010 emissions data is available for buildings only
WATER
23% reduction in water use per FTE student since 2007 levels*
MATERIALS AND WASTE

28% overall waste diversion rate
GREEN BUILDINGS
1 LEED certified
1 REAP certified
2 projects awarded Five Green Globes
UBCs Okanagan campus has undergone significant growth. Since 2007, the campus has realized a 90% increase in square meter
floor space and an 81% increase in FTE students. This has resulted in an absolute increase in resource consumption. However,
integrating sustainability best practices into new campus facilities and infrastructure has achieved relative performance improvements over conventional design.
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As a rapidly growing, research-intensive campus, UBC is working on finding innovative ways to reduce energy
and emissions. We made significant progress this past year towards achieving our ambitious greenhouse
gas (GHG) reduction targets and implementing our award-winning Climate Action Plan, advancing energy
efficiency and emissions reduction strategies across campus to achieve our sustainability goals while realizing
cost savings.
ENHANCING EXISTING AND NEW BUILDINGS

Completed implementation of energy efficiency measures in 17 energyintensive lab buildings as part of UBCs Building Tune Up program,
which is optimizing performance of 70 buildings to reduce emissions
by 10 per cent.
Updated design standards with higher energy efficiency requirements

for all new academic and residential buildings.
TARGET: REDUCE VANCOUVER

CAMPUS GHG EMISSIONS
33% BY 2015
67% BY 2020
100% BY 2050*
*RELATIVE TO 2007 LEVELS
GREENING OUR FLEET

Finalized 5-year Green Fleet Action Plan and implemented criteria

towards achieving E3 (Energy, Environment, Excellence) green fleet
certification for UBCs central fleet of 240 vehicles.
Rendering of the Campus Energy Centre (CEC) Hot Water Plant
ADVANCING LOW-CARBON ENERGY SOURCES

Increased production of renewable energy on campus through the

Bioenergy Research and Demonstration Facility, reducing campus GHG
emissions by 9 per cent.
Completed half of the Academic District Energy System steam to hot

water conversion project, including starting construction on a new
Campus Energy Centre, which will replace the campus aging steam
plant (see feature).
Completed feasibility studies and selected utility partner to develop

and implement a Neighborhood District Energy System to provide lowcarbon thermal energy for current and future residential neighborhoods.
14%
REDUCTION IN
ABSOLUTE GHG
EMISSIONS SINCE
2007
26%
REDUCTION IN GHG
EMISSIONS PER
STUDENT SINCE
2007
ACADEMIC DISTRICT ENERGY SYSTEM

On target for completion in 2016, the Academic
District Energy System (ADES) steam to hot water
conversion project will connect 130 buildings to
the more efficient new district energy system,
which will reduce emissions by 22 per cent and
result in $5.5 million a year in annualized cost
savings and cost avoidance.
One of the largest steam to hot water conversions
in North America, the ADES is one of UBCs
signature initiatives to substantially reduce
emissions while addressing deferred maintenance
on the UBC Vancouver campus. This five year,
$88 million project will replace UBCs aging
steam heating infrastructure with a modern hot
water district energy system. It will also provide
an enabling platform for UBC Campus as a
Living Laboratory alternative energy sources and
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research and demonstration projects.
WATER
Approximately three million cubic metres of potable water are consumed at UBC a year enough to
fill 1,200 Olympic-sized swimming pools for building operations, research, residential and irrigation
purposes. We are committed to water conservation and seek to improve efficiency of infrastructure,
promote sustainable behaviours, and identify innovative supply options and approaches to stormwater
management.
ADVANCING WATER CONSERVATION AND

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

Completed a long-range Integrated Stormwater Management Plan

to improve the handling of stormwater and rainwater run off on
campus over the next decade.
Continued developing our Water Conservation Action Plan in

support of establishing a campus-wide closed loop water system
at UBC.
ENHANCING EXISTING AND NEW BUILDINGS

Continued retrofitting existing buildings to increase water efficiency

in academic buildings, student housing and research labs to enhance
water conservation.
35%
REDUCTION IN
ABSOLUTE WATER USE
SINCE 2000
55%
REDUCTION IN WATER
USE PER STUDENT SINCE
2000
Added new water efficiency provisions in design guidelines to

ensure all new institutional and residential buildings on campus will
be built to higher water efficiency standards.
IMPROVING IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Developed a project to improve efficiency of campus irrigation

systems to reduce water consumption and operating costs.
INCREASING WATER SAVINGS THROUGH

DISTRICT ENERGY SYSTEM UPGRADES
In addition to saving energy and reducing

GHG emissions, upgrading our Academic
District Energy System from steam to hot
water will also lead to increased water
conservation and will save 136,000 cubic
metres of water annually when completed,
equivalent to saving 54 Olympic-sized
swimming pools worth of water each year.
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MATERIALS AND WASTE

UBC currently sends over 3,000 tonnes of operational waste to the landfill each year. Building on
our waste reduction and diversion achievements to date, we are working towards transforming UBC
to a zero waste community. We are enhancing waste sorting infrastructure, communications and
engagement across campus to increase waste diversion from the landfill and developing strategies
to reduce waste generation on campus.
ENHANCING WASTE DIVERSION

61%
OVERALL WASTE
DIVERSION RATE
Designed, tested, and began installation of new multi-stream indoor

and outdoor recycling stations at high-traffic locations across
campus.
Conducted zero waste pilots and research studies to test new waste
infrastructure, signage, and engagement strategies.
Developed campus-wide Sort It Out communications and

engagement strategy.
Developed tools and guidelines to improve tracking of construction
40%
REDUCTION IN
HAZARDOUS WASTE
SINCE 2006
and demolition waste on campus.

Reduced hazardous waste generation by 40 per cent compared to

2006 levels through source reduction and recycling programs.
ADVANCING ZERO WASTE PLANS AND

RESEARCH

Completed comprehensive Zero Waste Action Plan, which outlines

goals, targets, and actions for reducing waste generation and
increasing waste diversion on campus.
Advanced zero waste research and partnerships by working with

Metro Vancouver to launch the BC Municipal Waste Research
ZERO WASTE ACTION PLAN
Collaborative.
TARGET: INCREASE OVERALL

WASTE DIVERSION TO 70% BY 2016
80% BY 2020
ACHIEVE A STEADILY DECREASING TREND

IN OPERATIONAL WASTE DISPOSED
TO LANDFILL/INCINERATION DESPITE
FORECASTED CAMPUS GROWTH.
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UBCs Zero Waste Action Plan identifies

several new initiatives to achieve the 2016
waste diversion target. The plan will be
implemented over the next three to five
years and will help us meet or exceed what
is required by regional waste management
regulations, including the upcoming Metro
Vancouver organics disposal ban in 2015.
With nearly 400 institutional and residential buildings on campus, building operations is the largest
component of UBCs environmental and carbon footprint. We are working to accelerate green
building performance and regenerative design and operate the largest portfolio of green buildings
at a Canadian university.
GREEN BUILDINGS
OVERVIEW
In 2013, three academic building projects were certified
through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) rating system and three residential building projects
were certified through the Residential Environmental
Assessment Program (REAP), a UBC-specific green building
TARGET:
ALL NEW CONSTRUCTION AND
MAJOR RENOVATIONS MUST
ACHIEVE LEED OR REAP GOLD
rating system for residential construction.

UBC achieved our first LEED Platinum certification for the
Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS)
and LEED Gold for our Biosciences Renew and Chemistry
Renew projects. UBC also achieved our first REAP Platinum
certification for Sail, a 6-storey residential condominium
project in Wesbrook Village.
UBCs Green Building Tours Program provided over 111 tours
of CIRS, the Bioenergy Research and Demonstration Facility
and UBC sustainability locations to over 1,500 students,
practitioners, and visiting delegates from across campus
and around the world.
CIRS BECOMES UBCS FIRST LEED PLATINUM
BUILDING
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LEED PROJECTS
(8 CERTIFIED, 15 REGISTERED)
Designed to promote research and innovation

in sustainability, CIRS is designed to reduce
UBCs carbon emissions, utilize waste heat
from a neighbouring building, and harvest
rainwater as a source of potable water. Some
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REAP PROJECTS
(20 CERTIFIED, 7 REGISTERED
of the ongoing research at CIRS measures how

the indoor environment impacts behaviour,
human health, and happiness.
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UBC OKANAGAN
ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE

Our Okanagan campus sustainability initiatives have been aligned to support key commitments
of Place and Promise, UBCs strategic plan. Sustainability performance has been achieved through
targeted efforts across four key areas district energy, green buildings, resource conservation and
campus community engagement.
GREEN BUILDINGS
UBCs Okanagan campus has developed and currently operates
New facilities at UBCs Okanagan campus have been designed
a district energy system that forms the basis of its energy and
to a minimum LEED or REAP Gold Standard and are built to
emissions reduction strategy. Demonstrating sustainable
operate at high performance levels. The final new building
infrastructure and engineering design, the system sources
constructed during the first phase of the campus build out was
renewable earth energy - aquifer groundwater - to heat and/
the Reichwald Health Sciences Centre that achieved LEED Gold
or cool a mix of academic buildings totaling approximately
Certification in 2013. A Gold Winner at the Canadian Home
80,000 square metres.
Builders Association of the Central Okanagan Tommie Awards,

the facility was recognized for its sustainable construction,
Heating and cooling energy is transferred from the aquifer water
design features and technologies that conserve water, energy
loop into campus distribution piping on a separate closed loop.
and reduce GHG emissions.
The closed loop provides energy sharing between buildings,

heat recapture from data rooms, thermal storage and flexibility
Our new Fitness and Wellness Centre, known as the The Hangar
for future fuel switching.
due to its design reference to an aviation hangar, was completed

in 2013. An addition to the existing campus gymnasium, this
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Currently 57 per cent of campus district energy system heat
facility was built to LEED Gold equivalent standard. Connected
is sourced from renewable earth energy that has significantly
to the district energy system it incorporates carbon capturing/
reduced the need for natural gas fired heating equipment and
storing properties of locally sourced and produced pine beetle
the generation of associated carbon emissions.
timber.
WATER
MATERIALS AND WASTE
Our Okanagan campus is located in a semi-arid climate with
Reducing materials and waste generation on campus is a key
the lowest per person water availability in Canada. Water
area of focus in the development and operation of campus
conservation measures on campus are of significant importance
facilities and operational sustainability planning at the unit
and are incorporated into the planning and operation of campus
level. Materials and waste management strategies begin with
facilities and land use management.
actions to reduce source waste. The provision of signature

recycling and composting programs, such as your waste,
New and renovated facilities incorporate low flow appliances,
your responsibility, helps to encourage behaviour change
fixtures and fittings to conserve water to meet water
to support responsible management and diversion of waste
conservation of up to 40 per cent over conventional fixtures.
generated on campus.
Outdoor conservation is managed through a combination of

native drought tolerant landscaping and a wireless irrigation
These programs have been recently supplemented by the
management and monitoring system that irrigates based on
establishment of alternative waste and recycling infrastructure
ambient temperature, precipitation and wind speed.
including seven solar-powered waste and recycling compactors

which reduce our operational costs by up to 83 per cent and
Additionally, 100 per cent of storm water is diverted from
help cut transportation-related carbon emissions. Biennial
the municipal system through campus bio-swale features,
waste audits are conducted to assess performance against
infiltration pits and an engineered storm water detention pond.
waste diversion strategies.
The pond acts as a filtration system for campus water run-off

and supports a wide range of ecosystem assets and biodiversity.
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COMMUNITY
Our goal is to create a model of a vibrant, complete,
sustainable community at an urban neighbourhood
scale, where people can live, work and learn together.
To achieve this goal we are providing diverse housing
options for our students, faculty, staff and other residents
that are in walking distance to shops, services, parks and
public transportation options.
COMMUNITY
HOUSING AND AMENITIES

UBC plays an important role in shaping campus community life by offering on-campus housing
to students, faculty, and staff, and providing amenities such as recreation facilities, community
centres, parks, open spaces, and child care within our neighbourhoods and academic lands. We are
committed to increasing housing choice and affordability, and the provision of quality amenities.
This commitment is driven by UBCs Vancouver campus vision to be a world-class community of
scholars with a beautiful, functional, and sustainable campus.
IMPROVING HOUSING AVAILABILITY

AND AFFORDABILITY

Continued implementation of UBCs Housing Action

Plan, to support the long-term development of a
thriving, diverse and sustainable community on the
INCREASED STUDENT BED

CAPACITY BY
600
10,041
TOTAL STUDENT BEDS

(30% OF 2010
FULL TIME STUDENTS)
Vancouver campus.

Added 600 student beds by completing Phase 1 of

Ponderosa Commons, UBCs first of five mixed use
student housing commons.
Began construction on Phase 2 of Ponderosa

Commons, which will add a further 513 student beds,
retail services, student facilities and academic space.
Introduced new Faculty Home Ownership Program to

improve home ownership affordability options on the
Point Grey campus for approved faculty members.
PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY AMENITIES

Expanded high quality amenities for UBCs residential

community by completing a new community turf soccer
field for University Hill Secondary School and residents
and starting construction on a new community centre
in Wesbrook Place, expected to be completed in 2015.
PONDEROSA COMMONS
We completed Phase 1 of Ponderosa Commons,
UBCs first mixed use student housing commons,
which offers a unique mix of living and academic
space that redefines campus residence. Built around
the concept of a vibrant residential hub, the new
living quarters opened in Fall 2013, adding over 600
student beds and increasing the number of students
housed at UBCs Vancouver campus to 10,041, giving
it the largest student housing program in Canada.
Phase 1 also includes UBCs first commuter student
ASPIRATIONAL TARGET:
PROVIDE CAPACITY TO HOUSE
OF FULL TIME
UP TO
STUDENTS
50%
collegium, the Audain Art Centre gallery and studios,

academic spaces, study areas, dining, fitness, and
end-of-trip bicycle facilities and is targeting LEED
Gold certification.
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COMMUNITY
TRANSPORTATION
As BCs largest university, UBC is a regional destination for students, staff, faculty, student, alumni
and citizens from communities across the region. Since 1997, UBC has been working to reduce
automobile trips to and from campus and enable and promote sustainable modes of transportation.
Our goal is to design, build and program for a safe and accessible walking, cycling and transitoriented community.
IMPROVING TRANSIT SERVICE AND ACCESS

Continued work with key partners on promoting advancement

of rapid transit connection along the Broadway corridor to UBC.
Provided an average of 90 per cent of all eligible students with

a universal transit pass.
PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

OF TRIPS TO/FROM CAMPUS USE

SUSTAINABLE MODES OF TRANSPORT
Optimized a revised community shuttle route in conjunction

with Translink to better connect key destinations on campus.
71%
SINCE 1997:
13%
312%
DECREASE
IN SOV TRIPS
INCREASE IN
TRANSIT TRIPS
Collaborated with the University Neighborhoods Association to

promote sustainable transportation choices through the Walkn
Roll to School Program.
Won top honors in regional Bike to Work competition for fourth

consecutive year.
Launched new I Bike Here videos and campaign to promote

cycling.
Began construction on a new secure bike parking facility at the

Engineering Design Centre, which will increase the number of
free secure bike parking facilities across campus to 11.
ADVANCING TRANSPORTATION PLANNING

Updated UBCs Transportation Plan, which outlines UBCs

comprehensive strategy to promote sustainable transportation
options to and from campus.
Continued enhancement of the public realm and

implementation of the campus pedestrianization plan
recognized with international award.
CAMPUS PEDESTRIANIZATION RECOGNIZED

WITH INTERNATIONAL AWARD
UBCs achievements in transforming the campus
landscape to create a vibrant, animated, pedestrianized
campus were recognized by the prestigious Honor
Award for Excellence in Landscape Architecture from
the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP)
for the redesign of the outdoor public spaces along
Main Mall as part of the Public Realm Plan. Where
parking lots and roadways once were are now vibrant,
bustling pedestrian corridors that promote walking,
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cycling, and interaction.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHT
FOOD AND BIODIVERSITY

UBC FARM
The Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm aims to
understand and fundamentally transform local and global food systems
towards a more sustainable, food secure future. Through a wide range
of interdisciplinary learning, research, food production and community
engagement programs, the Centre acts as a living lab committed to
finding solutions to food system sustainability challenges.
Over 60 UBC courses engage with the UBC Farm, totalling 2,500
students across 10 faculties each year. The farms sustainably cultivated
fields yield 60,000 pounds of food per year, sold at 3 farmers markets,
a 100-member Community Supported Agriculture program, farm-toinstitution practices and policy program, a farmer training sustainable
agriculture practicum, 4 food and health indigenous initiatives, 3
childrens environmental education programs, and 12 research projects
which altogether annually engage a total of 60,000 visitors.
FARM TO HOSPITAL PROJECT

Hospital food does not have a good reputation.
It is often frozen or pre-cooked, making it not
only unappetizing, but it may also lack proper
UBC BOTANICAL GARDENS

The mission of the Garden is to assemble, curate and maintain a
documented collection of temperate plants for the purposes of
research, conservation, education, community outreach and public
display.
As Canadas oldest continuously operated university-based botanical
garden, we steward a living and growing repository that represents
the plant biodiversity of selected native and international biomes.
The total collection of approximately 120,000 plants represents some
6,000 taxa and includes major international collections of Magnolia,
Acer (maples), Sorbus (mountain ash), Styracaceae (storax family) and
Rhododendron.
A key part of our biodiversity collections, the Garden provides resources
to researchers, students and the public that reach beyond its collections
to provide a window onto the species, ecosystem and genetic diversity
of the natural world.
nutrition something especially important

for people recovering from an illness.
Pa t i e n t s i n h e a l t h c a re fa c i l i t i e s a re
immunologically vulnerable, and it is essential
to provide them with adequate nutrition to
maximize healing and recovery. This concept
is the driving force for an innovative farm-tohealthcare initiative at UBC.
The Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at
UBC Farm embarked on a three-year project
to introduce fresh local produce from the
UBC Farm to patients at the UBC Hospital in
September 2013. This initiative is the first of
its kind in BC to date.
In partnership with multiple stakeholders,
including UBC SEEDS, Vancity, Vancouver
Coastal Health and Sodexo Canada, it is
projected that the Farm will be an official
supplier to provide fresh produce to the UBC
Hospital by 2015/16.
COMMUNICATIONS
AND ENGAGEMENT
We believe that every member of the

UBC community has a role in achieving
our sustainability goals. We deliver
communication and engagement
programs that build awareness and
enable individuals to exemplify
sustainable practices and behaviours
on and off campus and foster a culture
of sustainability.
Our signature engagement programs enable students, staff, faculty and residents to positively
contribute to UBCs sustainability goals and exemplify sustainable practices and behaviours on
campus.
ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
In 2013, we completed and began implementation of the Campus
Sustainability Engagement Strategy to enhance resource conservation
and to foster a culture of sustainability at UBC. The strategy supports and
guides our engagement programs.
SUSTAINABILITY IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM
3,100
CAMPUS ENGAGEMENT
STUDENTS ENGAGED
THROUGH SUSTAINABILITY
IN RESIDENCE
PROGRAMMING
Our fourth annual Aim to Sustain energy and water conservation

competition engaged more than 3,100 first-year students to find
innovative ways to save energy and water in Totem Park and Place
Vanier student residences, with the winning house reducing energy
consumption by 21 per cent.
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ACTIVE
SUSTAINABILITY
COORDINATORS
Building on this success, the Sustainability in Residence Program

launched an enhanced annual peer-to-peer sustainability outreach
campaign to promote high impact resource conservation behaviours all
year long. Led by students for students, this monthly outreach program
incorporates fun sustainability-related activities for first year students
to learn about how small changes in behaviour can have a big impact,
OPERATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY
STRATEGY
In 2013, UBC began development of an
directly engaging over 300 students each month.
Operational Sustainability Strategy, which
SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR PROGRAM IN

OFFICES
for improving the campus operational
The Sustainability Coordinator (SC) Program in offices continued to
operational departments, helping them
engage over 80 staff sustainability champions across campus who
identify strategic sustainability objectives
promote and implement sustainable practices in their respective
and actions that will enable UBC to achieve
departments. Now in its 15th year, the SC Program completed the first
our long-term campus wide targets in energy,
ever external review and a three year strategic program plan. The plans
climate, waste, and water. Department-level
strategic directions include tactics to better measure the impact of the
sustainability frameworks were completed
programs behaviour change initiatives, expanding program reach to
for UBC Building Operations, Student Housing
every building on campus and to strengthen networking and professional
and Hospitality Services, Payment and
development opportunities for staff sustainability champions.
Procurement Services and UBC Information
will outline UBCs strategic framework

sustainability performance. As part of
this process, we began working with key
Technology departments.
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FEATURE HIGHLIGHT
GREEN LABS PROGRAM

As a research-intensive university with some 400 labs
on campus, UBC consumes a significant amount of
energy, water and materials for conducting world-class
research. Our Green Labs Program aims to minimize
the environmental impact of the Universitys research
footprint by engaging the research community through
quarterly e-newsletters, Lunch and Learn training events,
online tools and Green Labs Fund.
In 2013, UBC launched the Sustainability Coordinator
Program into labs to provide members of the UBC research
community with further opportunities and resources to
promote and implement sustainable practices.
SHUT THE SASH AND SAVE

The third annual Shut the Sash energy conservation
competition engaged over 200 researchers in three
energy-intensive lab buildings to close fume hoods,
resulting in an 81 per cent improvement in sash closures,
saving 29,500 kWh of electricity and reducing emissions
by 46 tonnes, equivalent to 27 round trip flights from
Vancouver to St. Johns Newfoundland. The competition
is in partnership with BC Hydros Workplace Conservation
Awareness Program and Fortis BC.
200
RESEARCHERS
ENGAGED THROUGH
SHUT THE SASH
81%
IMPROVEMENT
IN SASH CLOSURES
SAVED THE EQUIVALENT

GHG EMISSIONS OF
ROUND TRIPS FROM
VANCOUVER TO
ST. JOHNS, NFLD
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MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING
SUSTAINABILITY COUNCILS
UBC-UNIVERSITY NEIGHBOURHOOD
ASSOCIATION
SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBOURHOODS
REGIONAL SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL
Our partnership with the University Neighbourhoods

Association (UNA) continues to produce sustainable
outcomes in areas such as community engagement,
energy, water and waste reduction programs. The MOU
Steering Committee met regularly throughout 2013 to
advance sustainability projects and identify collaboration
opportunities.
The Regional Sustainability Council provides guidance to

the UBC Sustainability Initiative (USI) and helps us establish
productive partnerships with diverse communities. The
council is comprised of 20 leaders from UBC and the public,
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
private and civil society sectors.

Council meetings in 2013 provided us with policy
recommendations and input on strategic priorities. Further,
we revamped the council to provide members with a forum
to exchange experiences, knowledge and ideas.
UBC-CITY OF VANCOUVER
MOBILIZING KNOWLEDGE FOR THE GREENEST
CITY
STUDENT SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL
City of Vancouver (CoV) continued to leverage UBC
The Student Sustainability Council provides feedback to USI
sustainability research expertise while providing graduate-
on sustainability-related issues and concerns pertaining to
level students with professional development opportunities.
UBC students.
The CoV-UBC MOU enables mutually beneficial

collaboration and exchanges and supports the Greenest City
Twelve students participate on the council representing the
aspirations through the Greenest City Scholars Program.
Alma Mater Society (AMS), the Graduate Student Society

(GSS) and a range of sustainability clubs. We convened
UBC-BC HYDRO
COLLABORATING TO REDUCE ENERGY USE
In 2013, we completed the Community Energy and Emissions
the council twice and used the opportunities to obtain

feedback on the 20-Year Sustainability Strategy and the
conceptualization of a learning community for students
taking sustainability courses.
Plan, a joint initiative with BC Hydro and the UNA to reduce

community energy consumption and greenhouse gas
emissions. UBC and BC Hydro continued collaboration on
energy conservation programs, including a program to tune
up energy performance in over 60 academic buildings.
33
COMMUNICATIONS
RIPPLE EFFECT
2013 marked the first year of this experiential and interactive
campaign that led to increased awareness of UBCs
sustainability leadership amongst our students.
We engaged students, faculty, staff and the community
members from over 30 groups to collaborate together and
OVERALL COMMUNICATION
HIGHLIGHTS
9+
NATIONAL AND
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
showcase their sustainability work through in-person events

and online channels. 7,300 attendees were reached through
20 in-person events, with over 20,000 touch-points in total,
including through digital media.

65 per cent of those who experienced any element of the
79,000
WEBSITE VISITS
TO SUSTAIN.UBC.CA
campaign felt that their knowledge of UBC sustainability

initiatives has increased somewhat or greatly.

63 per cent of those who experience the campaign

reported being somewhat or greatly inspired to become
sustainable in their own lives.
7,900
SOCIAL MEDIA
FOLLOWERS
34
In 2013/14, we engaged over 1,200 students, staff and faculty at UBCs Okanagan campus through the
Power of You Program and student residence behaviour change pilot, targeting energy conservation
in offices and student residences.
THE POWER OF YOU PROGRAM

The Power of You is a new engagement program developed by the
Okanagan Sustainability Office in partnership with FortisBC PowerSense
UBC OKANAGAN
program, aimed at creating a shift in energy use on campus by raising

awareness of energy conservation practices.
Developed to encourage voluntary energy conservation actions on the
part of campus constituents, the program complements the Building
Optimization Program for greater energy reduction and cost avoidance.
Among its early achievements include a 32,000 kilowatt hour per year
reduction in electricity use through the reduction of ceramic personal
space heating devices on campus and a 2,323 kilowatt (11 per cent)
reduction in electricity use during a one hour lights out challenge.
STUDENT RESIDENCE COLD WATER

WASHING PILOT
As a component of the Power of You Program, a studentfocused behavior change pilot project engaged 200 students
living in campus residences to reduce energy consumption
and associated greenhouse gas emissions through the use
of cold water settings for laundry washing. Behavior change
strategies involved personal engagement, the use of social
media and targeted education. The programs outcomes
were evaluated by metering changes in the volume of hot
water used for washing. The students achieved an overall
reduction of hot water use for laundry by 27 per cent. It is
anticipated that increased awareness will endure as the pilot
outcomes and conservation philosophy are broadly shared.
35
FEATURE HIGHLIGHT
20-YEAR SUSTAINABILITY
STRATEGY
Beginning in fall of 2013, UBC began a comprehensive eight
month process to develop a strategy for next generation
sustainability at UBCs Vancouver campus, across teaching,
learning, research, partnerships, operations and infrastructure,
and the community.
In developing the strategy, we convened a Steering Committee
chaired by the Associate Provost, Sustainability and comprised
5,000
VISITS TO PROJECT
WEBPAGE
1,400
ONLINE SURVEY
PARTICIPANTS
800
IN-PERSON
ENGAGEMENT POINTS
5+
STUDENT, FACULTY, AND

STAFF WORKSHOPS
of 21 community members, including, students, faculty,

staff, external partners, and the University Neighbourhoods
Association and the Musqueam First Nation. The Steering
Committee provided oversight on the engagement process,
considered community feedback and drafted the strategy.
The process engaged over 2,000 people, both online and
in-person. The strategy will be finalized in Fall of 2014.
couver
of Van
der, City
n
a
P
n
a
Se
Ann
I think it is really compelling and well

structured. I especially love the regenerative
theme and the three areas of focus are spot
on for UBC.
Mu
rray
, Va
nco
Consider this a whole hearted endorsement

I think this final product is well written and
well presented.
uve
r In
tern
atio
nal
Airp
ort
dation
i Foun
uzuk
avid S
D
O
E
on, C
s
Robin
Peter
xB
Ale
e
ayn
s
rce
ou
Res
I have been on a number of strategy working

groups and found this one refreshing and
inspiring, both in the make-up of the committee
and the community engagement work.
an
um
CH
, UB
I wanted to acknowledge that this is

an excellent outcome to our months of
deliberation!
2014/15
KEY PRIORITIES
The following section provides an overview of our 2014/15 key priorities:
TEACHING, LEARNING AND RESEARCH

Provide grant and awards programs to faculty members, encouraging the development and implementation
of sustainability learning pathways and insertion of sustainability into large first-year courses.
Deliver programming that supports student sustainability involvement and leadership, through events,
educational workshops and outreach activities, and provide sustainability-related support and resources.
Provide students with an expanded range of experiential learning and professional development
opportunities through a nexus of programs in partnerships with on-campus and external organizations.
Expand OSIs role as regional knowledge broker, convening a Food Security Working Group and developing
new research, scholarship and experiential learning partnerships with the City of Kelowna.

Initiate the development of the Tall Wood Student Residence project, addressing a core University need
for expanded on-campus student housing and providing a compelling Campus as a Living Lab opportunity
for UBC researchers, students and local industry.
Expand and diversify SEEDS collaborative research partnerships with faculties, schools and operational
departments across campus, with an enhanced focus on social sustainability.
Expand Okanagan Sustainability Institute (OSI) partnerships, engaging with BCs interior region as a Living
Lab and exploring opportunities around healthy living and community development.
Launch UBC Sustainability Revolving Fund pilot to provide financing for implementing energy efficiency
and other sustainability projects on UBCs Vancouver campus that result in ongoing cost savings.
KEY PRIORITIES

Continue implementing energy conservation measures in all major buildings, complete final phases
of Academic District Energy System steam to hot water conversion project, and optimize Bioenergy
Research and Demonstration Facility to achieve 2015 GHG reduction targets. Continue development of
Neighborhood District Energy System.
Implement Zero Waste Action Plan, including continued rollout of multi-stream recycling stations across
campus and launch of Sort It Out campus wide communications and engagement strategy.
Continue developing Water Conservation Action Plan to enhance water conservation and efficiency.
Introduce mandatory energy use targets for all new major campus building projects and update green
building requirements for neighborhood developments.
Continue work on the Okanagan Campus Master Plan update using a whole systems infrastructure
approach to optimize sustainable development, resource-efficiency, and cost-effective design.
COMMUNITY

Finalize and gain approval for UBCs new Transportation Plan.
Start construction on Orchard Commons, which will add more than 1,000 student beds, academic and
office space, childcare spaces, and other amenities.
Enhance Community Development initiatives that strengthen UBCs unique, vibrant, and sustainable
community through delivery of community-focused events and neighborhood community programs, and
by leveraging our public realm to create extraordinary campus experiences.
Catalyze regional and interdisciplinary collaboration between UBCs Okanagan campus, Interior Health
and others to evaluate and improve healthy living initiatives and enable prevention of chronic disease.

Support and advance the Wellbeing Initiative and social sustainability, at the Vancouver and Okanagan
campuses working closely with partners.
Obtain USI Steering Committee approval of the 20-Year Sustainability Strategy and develop a roadmap
toward implementation.
Develop a global network of innovative universities that are recognized as sustainability leaders, working
with the Rocky Mountain Institute as a convener of the network.
Identify and leverage additional opportunities for partnerships and participation in regional, national
international forums, leading to an enhanced reputation.
Implement priority actions in the Campus Sustainability Engagement Strategy at UBCs Vancouver
campus, including launch of the Sustainability Coordinator Program in labs, a zero waste recycling
competition in offices and new behaviour change prompts in student residences to enhance energy and
water conservation.
Continue engaging UBCs Okanagan campus community to reduce energy consumption, through programs
such as Power of You.
38
APPENDIX
39
SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE METRICS
TEACHING,
LEARNING &
RESEARCH
LIVING LAB
CONTEXT
METRICS1
VANCOUVER CAMPUS
OKANAGAN CAMPUS
2013/14 Performance
Trend
2013/14 Performance
Trend
Staff and Faculty Employees (FTE)
13,387
7% since 2007
1,048
66% since 2007
Student Enrolment (FTE)
43,650
16% since 2007
7,402
81% since 2007
Institutional Floor Space (m2)
1,431,593
11% since 2007
136,373
90% since 2007
Campus as a Living Lab Infrastructure Projects (#)
N/A
76% since 2012
75 students participated
SEEDS Participants (# of students, faculty, staff)
896
SEEDS Projects (#)
86
SEEDS Research Reports (#)
194
Faculty Engaged in Sustainability Research (#, % of all
304 (14.5%)3
N/A
N/A
Total Sustainability Courses (#)
509
N/A
118
Greenest City Scholars (# of student academic internships
11
37 internships offered in
N/A
in sustainability projects
N/A
faculty)
with City of Vancouver)

Absolute GHG Emissions (tCO2e)
past 4 years
52,832
14% since 2007
3,629
66% since 20074
GHG Emissions per Student (tCO2e/ student FTE)
1.21
26% since 2007
0.49
8% since 2007
Campus Energy Sources by GJ (%)
Natural Gas: 50%
8% of total campus
Natural Gas: 35%
Electricity: 41%
energy now supplied by
Electricity: 65%
Biomass: 8%
renewable biomass
Propane: 0.03%
Absolute Water Use (m3)
3,052,050 m3
35% since 2000
164,688 m3
40% since 2007
Water Use Intensity (m3/student FTE)
70
55% since 2000
22
23% since 2007
Overall Waste Diversion Rate (%)
61
2% since 2010
28
OPERATIONS & INFRASTRUCTURE
Target: 33% reduction from 2007 levels by 2015
Target: Increase overall waste diversion rate to 70% by
N/A
2016 and 80% by 2020
Operational Waste Disposed (tonnes)
N/A
3,297
6% from 2010 levels
905
100% since 20075
23 (8 certified, 15 registered)
3 certifications awarded in
1 certified
1 Gold certification
Target: Achieve a steadily decreasing trend in operational

waste disposed to landfill/incineration despite forecasted
campus growth
LEED6 Projects (# of certified and registered building

projects)
REAP7 Projects (# of certified and registered building

projects)
2013 (1 Platinum, 2 Gold)
27 (20 certified, 7 registered)
3 certifications awarded in
2013 (1 Platinum, 1 Gold,
awarded in 2013
1 certified
N/A
1 Silver)
Target: All new construction and major renovations
must achieve LEED or REAP Gold
Targets apply for Vancouver Campus.
Social Ecological Economic Development Studies (SEEDS) Program.
3
2010/2011 data.
4
2007 baseline includes buildings emissions only. 2013 data includes emissions from all in-scope sources and represents a 90% increase in floor space and 81% increase in student enrolment since 2007.
5
Note 2013 data represents a 90% increase in floor space and 81% increase in student enrolment since 2007.
6
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
7
Residential Environmental Assessment Program (REAP).
1
40
METRICS
VANCOUVER CAMPUS
OKANAGAN CAMPUS
2013/14 Performance
Trend
2013/14 Performance
Trend
Transportation Mode Share / Person Trips
71% of trips by
13% in SOV
54% of trips by
28% in SOV
(% of trips to/from campus by transit, carpool, cycling
sustainable modes
person trips since
sustainable modes
person trips
& walking)
since 2009
1997
32% of trips by transit
COMMUNITY
55% of trips by transit

312% in transit
9% in transit
person trips since
person trips
1997
since 2009
Student Beds
10,041
600 beds in
(# of beds, % of 2010 full time students)
(30% of 2010 full time
2013/14
Aspirational Target: Provide capacity to house up to
students)
1,676
No new
student beds
added in
50% of full time students in 2010
2013/14
Rental units (% of neighbourhood units that are rental)
25.8% of neighbourhood
34% in rental
Aspirational Target: Up to 30% of all new housing being
units are rental
housing on
N/A
neighbourhood lands
built as rental
since 2012/13
Child care (# of UBC-run child care spaces)
573 child care spaces
No new UBC-run
36 child care spaces
No new UBCrun spaces in
spaces in 2013/14
2013/14
STARS8 Rating
Gold
Staff Sustainability Coordinators (#)
82 Coordinators
30 Power of You volunteers
Sustainability in Residence Student Engagement (#)
3,100 students
200 students
Lab Researchers Engaged (# of participants; # of awards)
200 researchers engaged through Shut the Sash
3 Green Labs Fund grants awarded
Sustainability Tours (# of tours conducted, # of
111 Green Building Tours
7 Sustainability Walking Tours
participants)
1,500 participants
179+ participants
Digital Engagement (#)
51,000 visitors and 79,000 visits to sustain.ubc.ca website

7,900+ social media followers
N/A
N/A
Sustainability Tracking Assessment & Rating System (STARS)
41
PHOTO CREDITS
Cover

UBC Vancouver campus water feature

Don Erhardt
pg 1
Martin Dee
pg 4
Don Erhardt
pg 6
Don Erhardt
pg 8
Martin Dee
pg 9
Provided by UBC Farm
pg 11
Hover Collective
pg 13
Don Erhardt
pg 14
Martin Dee
pg 15
Don Erhardt
pg 16, 24-25 UBC Okanagan photos

Principal photographer: Tim Swanky, Swanky Photographic
Contributor: Margo Yacheshyn, University Relations
pg 17
Hover Collective
pg 22
Don Erhardt
pg 23
Provided by UBC Public Affairs
pg 24
Provided by UBC Okanagan
pg 26
Don Erhardt
pg 27
Artist rendering
pg 28
Dean Gregory
pg 29
Provided by UBC Farm
pg 32
Martin Dee
pg 34
Don Erhardt
42
FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION VISIT

sustain.ubc.ca
facebook.com/SustainUBC
twitter.com/SustainUBC
#RippleEffectUBC
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK

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ANNUAL

2013/14 FAST FACTS

STUDENTS, FACULTY AND

TEACHING, LEARNING AND RESEARCH

CAMPUS AS A LIVING LAB

OPERATIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE 

COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT

2014/15 KEY PRIORITIES

UBC Annual Sustainability Report 2013-2014

Faculty & Staff

Faculty & Staff

Faculty & Staff

UBCs two main campuses are situated in Vancouver

UBC holds an internatio

and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley. Also in

Office in Hong Kong and a liaison office in

FACULTY AND STAFF

2 Canadian prime min

MESSAGE FROM THE ASSOCIATE PROVOST

I am pleased to report our sustainability achievements

On the operational side, we made great progress in advancing

for UBC Vancouver and Okanagan campuses during the

our Vancouver Campus Climate Action Plan by achieving a

2013/2014 fiscal year.

14 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (relative

Building on a tradition of excellence in sustainability,

At UBCs Okanagan campus, we reduced reliance on natural

progress in meeting our ambitions and have embraced a

gas for heating and associated emissions by sourcing 57

significant academic and operational opportunity to continue

per cent of campus district energy from renewable ground

being at the forefront of the sustainability transition.

We perform research that provides insights into and solutions

Finally, we laid a strong foundation for next generation

to institutional challenges involved in achieving sustainability;

sustainability by completing a comprehensive community

we practice sustainability operationally at a scale of great

engagement process to develop a 20-Year Sustainability

interest to cities around the world; and we prepare students

Strategy for UBCs Vancouver campus.

as a future generation of leaders with sustainability skills they

With most of the strategy work complete, we are in an

Delivering on our commitment to the academic mission,

a renewed vision, shared understanding and a strong

we continue to embed sustainability across the curriculum,

commitment to improving human and environmental

and provide numerous applied research and leadership

wellbeing on campus while inspiring and enabling others to

opportunities with on and off-campus programs that

do so in the larger world.

engage students, faculty and staff in researching solutions to

Dr. John Robinson

UBC Annual Sustainability Report 2013-2014

Becomes Canada's first university to adopt a sustainable

Launches ECOTREK (2001-2008), the largest energy

Publishes comprehensive campus-wide sustainability

Opens a Campus Sustainability Office, a first for a

Pioneers the U-Pass program, which has quadrupled

Meets Kyoto Protocol greenhouse gas (GHG)

Launches the U-Pass program at UBCs Okanagan

Integrates sustainability as a core pillar in UBCs highest

Develops the Sustainability Academic Strategy

Sets bold targets to reduce GHG emissions and invests in

Earns designation as Canada's first Fair Trade Campus

TEACHING, LEARNING AND RESEARCH

CAMPUS AS A LIVING LAB

OPERATIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT

2014/15 KEY PRIORITIES